Brittany Pettersen

Democrat

AGE
36RESIDENCE
Lakewood (13 years)HOMETOWN
LittletonPROFESSION
State RepresentativeEDUCATION
Bachelor’s degreeFAMILY
Husband and puppy. Kids one day.EXPERIENCE
I have worked in the public, private and nonprofit sector, but my most rewarding job has been serving the good people of Colorado at the State House for the last 6 years.WEBSITEbrittanypettersen.comFACEBOOKbrittanypettersenforcoloradoTWITTER@pettersen4co

Why are you running for office?
I am very fortunate to have grown up in Colorado; right here in this district. My childhood took a turn when my mom became addicted to opioids when I was just 6 years old. I had to grow up fast and went to work at a young age, cleaning houses at just 12 years old. I never gave up working tirelessly in my pursuit of a better life – becoming the first in my family to graduate from both high school and college, and eventually going on to serve as the youngest woman in the State House when I was first elected in 2012.

It was because of the investments my community made in me that I was given a chance to succeed. Our public schools and our teachers were the only reason I had a shot, which is why I have dedicated my career fighting to ensure that where you come from does not determine where you end up.

That’s why I ran for office in the first place, and why I have spent my time in the legislature as a strong advocate for high-quality public schools, preparing our students for good-paying jobs, and making sure that everyone who works hard and plays by the rules has a fair shot at the American Dream.

In my time in the Colorado House, I was honored to serve as the chair of the Education Committee. Just last year alone, I passed a bill to increase funding for K-12 by $266 million a year, made critical investments in addressing Colorado’s teacher shortage, and supported an additional $35 million to improve school safety. I also sponsored bills to give college scholarships to low and middle-income families, and have become a national leader on policies to battle the opioid epidemic.

I am running for the State Senate to give back to the community that has given me so many opportunities and ensure others have that same chance.

What three policy issues set you apart from your opponent(s)?
My opponent served on the board of an extreme organization that supports the privatization of Medicare, Social Security, our public education, and “all governmental departments and functions.” I know first-hand how critical those public investments are in ensuring that everyone gets an opportunity to earn a better life. He also doesn’t believe in a woman’s right to choose, even in cases of rape and incest. He also doesn’t support common-sense gun safety measures like universal background checks to ensure we keep guns out of the hands of violent criminals.

What are the biggest areas of agreement between you and your opponent(s)?
We both love Colorado and want to serve our community, but we have completely different ideas of what role our government should play in leveling the playing field to ensure regular people have a fair shot.

Where would you like to see Colorado’s transportation system in two decades, and what’s the best way to get there? What’s your position on the competing state transportation initiatives?
Last year, we set aside a historic amount of additional funds for transportation in Colorado without raising taxes or cutting schools, courts, or healthcare. We increased funding for roads and bridges, but also invested in innovative public transportation like Bus Rapid Transit, Light Rail, and ride sharing platform. That’s a good start, but Colorado is still far behind where we need to be. I applaud the bipartisan work to bring Proposition 110 to the voters this November to increase critical investments in our roads and bridges and ensure that the growing population in Colorado can get to work on time, that families don’t have to sit in hours of traffic to visit our mountains and open spaces, and that small businesses can move their goods and services at ease throughout the state. The other ballot measure – the so-called “Fix Our Damn Roads”- is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. If passed, this measure will strangle our public education and healthcare system in Colorado.

Denver Post Voter Guide

What role, if any, should the state legislature play in managing the impact of growth along the Front Range and ensuring that rural areas share in the benefits?
Colorado has experienced record growth, a plummeting unemployment rate, and skyrocketing profits for companies. However, too many families haven’t seen their wages increase, and paychecks are still struggling to keep up with the rising costs of healthcare and housing. It’s time to ensure that this growth pays its own way. Our roads are congested, our schools are badly underfunded, and the cost of higher education is unaffordable. Our state has the opportunity to partner with local communities on lowering the cost of housing, investing in infrastructure and transportation, and making sure that we are preparing our kids for the good paying jobs that are here in Colorado instead of businesses having to look elsewhere for talent. I will also continue to support legislation that protects the Colorado we all love so much by protecting our open spaces and our natural resources for future generations.

Colorado’s health insurance exchange and Medicaid expansion have given hundreds of thousands more residents coverage, but health care remains a top concern in state polls. Affordability and access are particularly challenging in remote areas. Where should the state go on this issue, and what will you do to get us there?
Colorado led the way with a bipartisan healthcare exchange that worked, until politicians in Washington dismantled the federal structure that was critical to making it sustainable leaving hundreds of thousands of Coloradans without health care. It’s clear that what we have been doing isn’t working, and we need bold action to address the skyrocketing health care costs by increasing transparency and streamlining the process for paying our providers. We also need to do more to get ensure people in remote areas of Colorado also have access to the healthcare they need by increasing loan forgiveness programs and housing incentives.

Why are you running for office?
I am running for this office because we need greater transparency and accountability at the state level. We need leaders who respect and represent YOUR VOICE. When it comes to common-sense legislation, we do not need special interest projects designed more for re-election. We need more problem solvers.

What three policy issues set you apart from your opponent(s)?
1) I support the constitution and support due process of the law, and giving people a true voice in the taxpayer bill of rights and transparency and accountability at all levels.

2) I support educational options, not teaching to test, micro-managing or a one-size fits all for parents teachers and students.

3) I believe keeping people safe, and support the ban on sanctuary cities and oppose government sponsored heroin injection sites.

What are the biggest areas of agreement between you and your opponent(s)?
While we have different perspectives we both have a high regard for public service for our communities and for Colorado.

Where would you like to see Colorado’s transportation system in two decades, and what’s the best way to get there? What’s your position on the competing state transportation initiatives?
We need to make transportation a priority. We need true accountability of all our tax dollars and make sure the money goes to where it is supposed to go without unnecessary tax increases. I lean towards supporting Initiative 167 “Fix our Damn Roads.”

What role, if any, should the state legislature play in managing the impact of growth along the Front Range and ensuring that rural areas share in the benefits?
Every community in Colorado deserves to be heard and represented. But government sponsored policies should never be picking winners and losers. We want what is best for all without making things worse.

Colorado’s health insurance exchange and Medicaid expansion have given hundreds of thousands more residents coverage, but health care remains a top concern in state polls. Affordability and access are particularly challenging in remote areas. Where should the state go on this issue, and what will you do to get us there?
We need to give consumers more individual choices on healthcare. The high cost of Obama care and state-sponsored healthcare has made it unaffordable. We need a less regulatory environment and more accountability and transparency of costs.

More in Voter Guide 2018

New reports and studies continue to emerge on Proposition 112, the oil and gas setbacks measure, just days before election day on Tuesday. The high-stakes ballot issue has attracted millions of dollars on the campaign finance side as stakeholders on both sides of the issue try to convince voters of their arguments.